There are plenty of children’s activities and products located at your local Market, Festival and Fair. Filled with local community products and services, a great day will be had by all without spending a lot of money!
Markets
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WHAT: The Sunday Arts Market-The Abbotsford Convent. Sunday Arts at the Convent on the first Sunday of every month hosts fine art prints, drawings, exquisite jewellery, designer clothes, paintings, photography, children’s books, organic body-care products, fun garden sculpture, ceramics, and lots more.. |
Festivals
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WHAT: Carnivale-Albert Park The Carnivale kicks off at 4 pm – 9pm on Thursday 17th March. Come and enjoy our rides, including a Giant UFO, Space Turbo Shuttle and a Trackless Thomas the Tank Engine. Get up close and personal with the Snakebusters and the Animals on the Move petting farm. Join in on the many activities planned, or simply relax and watch as the hair salons battle it out, or the baristas & waiters race to the finish line. WHEN: 17th March 4pm-9pm |
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WHAT: Children’s Book Festival-State Library of Victoria On Sunday 3rd April, your favourite authors and illustrators will be taking over the lawns of the State Library for a day of books, books, books. Get on your bike or jump into your car. Drag mum or dad by the hand to the train station or get grandma and grandpa to take you on the tram. Whatever you do, get yourself in to the city for the biggest celebration of Children’s Books that Melbourne has ever seen. There’ll be puppet shows and readings, music and magic. And most of all there’ll be the people who created your favourite stories. With fun activities organised by the Children’s Book Council of Australia, Playgroup Victoria, Books Illustrated and others, as well as the State Library of Victoria’s exhibition ‘Look! The art of Australian picture books today’, you won’t even have time to stop for an icecream… But you can. WHEN: Sunday 3rd April 10am-4pm |
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WHAT: Mooncake Festival-Queen Victoria Market Celebrate Chinese culture at the Mooncake Festival, with its authentic Asian street food, handicraft stalls, martial art displays, dancing and kids’ activities. Soak up the atmosphere on Sunday 11 September between 9am-4pm WHEN: Sunday 11th September 9am-4pm |
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WHAT: Moon Lantern Festival A bright and colourful world of art, dance and music will once again gather on the grounds of the North Richmond Housing Estate for the 17th annual Moon Lantern Festival on Saturday 17 September. Among the diverse range of free activities happening throughout the day are circus workshops from Westside Circus as well as lantern making, origami, calligraphy and African henna painting. Polyglot Puppet Theatre will also spark the imagination of children of all ages with their Dream City Building. WHEN: Saturday 17th September 9am-4pm |
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WHAT: Paris to Provence Festival Francais PARIS TO PROVENCE is a French festival all about showcasing to a culturally minded Melbournian crowd, the best that France in Australia has to offer. Visit Como House & Garden as it transforms into a pop up French village with free live entertainment, demonstrations, 70 stalls, food and a lively Parisienne flair. Lots to do with the kiddies with an entire lawn dedicated just to families and children. Animal Farm, Face Painting, French Storytime, Kids French Fashion toys and books, Four 30 minute French Inspired Magic Shows. WHEN: Friday 25th-Sunday 27th November |
Fairs
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WHAT: Toy Library Collingwood-Pre-Loved Toy & Clothing Fair. The much anticipated Pre-loved Toy and Clothing Fair, the annual fundraiser for the Collingwood Toy Library is on Sunday 20th March 2011. The fair is a highlight of the local calendar with hundreds of families coming along in search of a bargain at one of the many stalls. In addition to shopping for second hand treasure there are plenty of attractions to keep everyone entertained: face painting, a jumping castle and petting zoo, emergency vehicles for the kids to climb on, singing and dancing, great coffee and food and much, much more. WHEN: Sunday 20th March 9am-1pm |
